Getting Here and Around

The town center of Lerwick is 1 mile south of Holmsgarth, the terminal for the ferry from Aberdeen. You can take a bus from Holmsgarth to the center or to the bus station for travel to Sumburgh or Scalloway. Car rentals can be arranged to meet you at the ferry terminal. Lerwick is small and compact, and the bus network, overseen by ZetTrans, offers hourly bus service around town.

Cruise Travel

Larger cruise ships moor in Bressay Sound with a tender bringing passengers ashore to Victoria Pier. While this pier is occupied by oil industry accommodation barges, smaller ships moor at Holmsgarth, the Ferry Terminal, a 15-minute walk or short bus ride to Lerwick center.

The cruise-ship operators organize bus tours for their passengers, but the more independently minded can prearrange a tour guide, such as Island Tours or Shetland Nature. They will pick you up and take you to the places you want to see. Prices are around £250 for a bespoke daylong tour for two persons, but check websites for available places on day tours (prices from £60 per person).

Alternatively, you can jump on the Airport Bus and head straight to Jarlshof (45 minutes, every 90 minutes, £2.90 each way) or hire a small car for a day, which costs approximately £55 plus fuel, making it an affordable option.